School News

FIDGET SPINNERS

We are seeing a rise in students bring fidget spinners to class. I would like to share an excerpt from Global News:

“I’d say those particular toys that kids are playing with right now don’t actually have the attributes that we would normally associate with a fidget tool or fidget toy that might be helpful for kids with a range of different difficulties,” Dr. Jennifer Crosbie, child psychologist, told Global News. “These toys are closer to a toy. They really are something that the kids are paying attention to. They’re trying to spin them on their desk, maybe spin them on the floor… That’s not what you want for a tool that’s actually supposed to be helping them within the classroom.”

St. Bernadette’s only allows fidget tools to those students who have documented proof that this form of intervention aids in helping a child learn. This documentation is in the form of an IEP and involves the consultation of teachers, the learning resource teacher, EAs and other professionals.

Starting on Monday May 29th, any student caught playing with fidget toys at school who does not have this as a part of their IEP interventions, will have their toy confiscated and returned to them at the end of the school day.

We would like to remind you that the school does not recommend students bringing personal items to play with at school. The school is not responsible if a personal item such as a toy is lost, stolen or damaged. Please remind your child to keep their toys at home.

FUN DAY vs FUN FAIR – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

This is to help resolve some confusion around the two events as they both have the word “FUN” in the title, they are a week apart and both happen on a Friday.

The Year End BBQ, also known as the Fun Fair will run on Friday June 2nd. There will be games, prizes and lots of good food! It is open to all our families, parishioners and community members. You will see a pre-order form go home for this event. We are still in need of volunteers.

Our Fun Day, also known as our Sports Fun Day, Will run on Friday June 9th during school hours. It is an early dismissal (12:15pm). Fun Day is hosted by the grade 7s with the grade 6s leading the groups. Mrs. Bourassa and the Gr. 5s also help with the organization. It is for all the students in the school. A form has been sent home requesting orders for hot lunch for Fun Day. The students love the different events and obstacles. It is a great way to celebrate their efforts throughout the year.

Hopefully this helps with some of the confusion around these two events.

2017-2016 STAFF LIST

Every year at this time we take a moment to recognize those staff members who will not be returning to St. Bernadette’s next year and to welcome those staff members who will be new additions to our community. We begin with our farewells:

We acknowledge the contributions and dedication Ms. Wagg provided to our community over the years. Ms. Wagg left in October and has decided to continue to devote her time to her children.

Ms. Wilczewski is retiring at the end of this school year. She has served the school for 25 years and we thank her for all of her dedication, commitment and service to the students and wider community during that time. We would like to wish her all the best in the future and we hope she many happy adventures! We look forward to her visiting the school in the near future perhaps as a teacher on call 🙂

We would like to wish much success Ms. Beliveau as she has accepted a new teaching assignment at Star of the Sea School. We look forward to having our paths cross at the many CISVA events next year!

We wish Mr. Duncan all the best as he embarks on opportunities elsewhere. We thank him for his years of service.

Finally, we would like to thank Ms. McLellan for her year of service to the students of St. Bernadette’s. We will miss her passion and enthusiasm.

We would like to welcome back Ms. Hillard. Ms Hillard was away on maternity leave and we look forward to her return in September.

We welcome Ms. Laurie Bennett to our school. Ms. Bennett comes to us from St. Helen’s school and will be our new Learning Resource Teacher.

We also welcome Ms. Tamara Leslie to our community. She will be joining our staff of Educational Assistants.

Grade 6 students are selling freezies every Friday Friday, to raise money for the children suffering from the famine in South Sudan. This tragedy is close to the students’ hearts as a result of their study of this issue in Literature Circles and Social Studies this year. Freezies will be sold for $1 each or .50 cents for half. Proceeds will be sent to Development and Peace to help support the aid efforts in S. Sudan. If you have any questions or would like to donate a box of freezies to support this sale, please e-mail grade6@stbernadette.ca.

SCHOOL UNIFORM FITTINGS

The uniform fittings will be on the following Tuesdays: May 23rd, 30th, June 6th & Thursdays, May 25th, June 1st & 8th, the morning fittings are from 8:30-9:15 and afternoon fittings are from 3:00-3:45.

We do not place your order, this is strictly uniform fittings.

Cambridge Uniforms will their have no sales tax event the week of June 12th.

We would also like to remind you that next year, only Cambridge uniforms will be allowed to be worn in the school.

ROUNDBALL STINGERS BASKETBALL CAMP

Registration forms are available at the front office. Every student gets a t-shirt with registration.

Reminders

DROP OFF & PICK UP

Please do not park or idle your car in any area in our parking lot other than the marked parking stalls. We are noticing an increase in student being dropped off in areas where there is no stopping or parking. This practice is unsafe for your child and those around you.

We have also noticed that many of the reported incidents of unsafe driving and parking in undesignated areas happens between 8:55am and 9:15am. We believe that arriving to school on time is an essential lesson students must learn, but driving and disobeying school rules is not worth the extra minute you may or may not save by behaving this way in our lot. Please be safe at all times and if you are late, do not try to make up time by disregarding our rules.

We have received inquiry as to why the lane has been blocked from traffic. Unfortunately we had too many close calls of students and parents getting hit by cars coming from the lane. Since closing the lane, safety in the parking lot has increased. When we opened it for one day last month to see if anything had changed, 2 children were almost hit by a car turning the wrong way and another vehicle almost hit another car exiting the parking lot. The lane will remain closed in order to ensure the upmost safety in our parking lot.

If you are having someone else dropping off or picking up your child(ren), please remind them of the proper procedures.

FUN CASINO NIGHT – June 24th, 2017

Knights of Columbus #8629 is hosting a Fun Casino Night. There will be 3 grand prizes given away, a silent auction, pot lucky and a raffle draw. Tickets are $25 and includes $5,000 in play money and free snacks. There will be a cash bar. Doors open at 6:30pm and the event starts at 7:00pm. For tickets please call John Noel @ 604-594-0081 or John Smith @ 604-590-3797